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WakeMed Blogs

Emergency Department vs. Urgent Care vs. Primary Care

November 17, 2017

Sometimes, it’s obvious when to head to the emergency room, but other times, it can be more difficult to tell. The following are some tips to help you decide whether you need to head to the emergency room, the nearest urgent care location or your primary care doctor.

Conditions Typically Treated by a Primary Care Physician

Allergic reaction *If you are having difficulty breathing, you should head to the Emergency Room.

Most primary care physicians leave room in their schedule for ‘sick’ visits from their regular patients. If it’s after hours or your primary care physician is unavailable, you should visit an urgent care office.